Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera said on Tuesday during a press a late-night press conference that Zanga-Zanga Chikhozi, the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, had been sacked and replaced with Miss Collin Zamba. The sacking occurred as the President announced a slew of economic measures to help the country’s struggling economy, which is still reeling from the Kwacha’s 25% depreciation.
“To build a robust monitoring system that ensures strict adherence to these measures and other directives in all MDAs, I have appointed Ms. Colleen Zamba as the new Secretary to the President and Cabinet with immediate effect, taking over from Mr. Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi, whom I am deploying elsewhere. Ms. Zamba will communicate other spending control measures in due course,” said Chakwera.
A few months ago, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), a quasi-religious organization, went to the President to notify him that Secretary to the Cabinet Chikhozi was one of the weak links in the government’s operation since the Tonse Alliance won power.
Among other fiscal measures, the President has declared that Ministers and government officials will be limited to three journeys outside the nation unless the trip is of great importance and must be approved by the President’s office. In addition, the President has announced a 20% reduction in fuel costs for cabinet ministers.
The President has also ordered that government vehicles be packed by 6:00 p.m. in a single location, ending the practice of drivers driving government vehicles to their residences.
“The movement of pool vehicles owned by the Government beyond 6pm shall be restricted, and no driver shall be permitted to take such vehicles to their homes, and controlling officers must justify to my office any emergency exceptions to be made,” said the President.
